Philadelphia Collection of Fashion History

The Drexel University Historic Costume collection — more than 12,000 garments and accessories, spanning more than 250 years — has been available only by appointment to individual researchers. Now, however, the university has decided to share some of its treasures with the general public in a quarterly Fashion Friday.

“Fashion Fridays are an attempt to accommodate this growing interest in the collection and share it with the public in a deeper, more meaningful capacity,” says Clare Sauro, curator of the collection.

The series will kick off with with a seminar entitled “History of 1920s Fashion.” Fans of “Downton Abbey” and “Boardwalk Empire,” or of the dazzling costumes in Baz Luhrmann’s recent film version of The Great Gatsby, will find much to drool over.

The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Drexel’s URBN Center (3501 Market St.). Tickets are $100 for the full day, including lunch, and can be purchased online or by calling 215-571-3504. Drexel alumni can purchase tickets for a discounted price of $85. Space is limited. All proceeds will benefit the Drexel Historic Costume Collection.